So I bought an '09 TSX and unbought it in one weekend

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totalburnout

totalburnout

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Sold the WRX probably three to four weeks ago at this point. Considering I need a car to conduct my business, I've stolen the mom mobile for the past few weeks while I searched for a new car.

Went to look at a used TL w/ 6 speed. The car was beat. I really cannot believe how people mistreat expensive things like vehicles but nearly every CPO'd six speed TL I've looked at has gone through its fair share.

Looked at a six speed manual '09 TSX. I really like the looks, although many don't feel the same way. Fell in love with the interior. Sprang the extra $3k for the tech. package. All said and done it came to $33,xxx after tax/title/registration. No special financing so interest rates will be near 7%.

The engine was lacking power which is my only real complaint with the car. I signed on it and was supposed to be picking it up tomorrow morning before I drove down to Philly for a week of training.

Read some articles and talked to some people online. Got some seriously cold feet after discussing the situation with everyone. ...I was already thinking about a comptech supercharger kit for the car, which is a bad mentality to have after dropping $33k.

Not being satisfied and wanting to spend another $3-$4k just doesn't seem right. I only intended to spend $25k all together. After putting $12k cash down, I wanted to stay around $250/month car payment and less than $150/month insurance for three years. The TSX had me at about $420/month + unknown insurance (probably another $200+)

Now I still don't know what to buy.

Well thats my story.
 
Next up the list, assuming I can find them;
'07 328i 6speed (don't know what options I would want/need)
'06+ G35 6speed
'04+ TL 6speed
'05.5+ 2.0T A4 (this just piqued my interest, as I read the APR chip will give 250hp/290tq for $600)


I looked at a Pontiac G8 and G8 GT. I think they're beautiful. Their interior is not as nice as the TSX (I have yet to find a car with a nicer interior) but acceptable. What was unacceptable was the slushbox auto transmission and the gas mileage.

I need to find the silver bullet thats going to fulfill my speed, comfort, reliability, and gas/insurance cost needs.
 
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Stay away from american. Sounds unpatriotic, but unless you want a beer guzzling, lazy ass bubba putting your car together, shop japan.

Look closer at build quality. Check the body gaps, feel the cheap plastics, everything snaps together instead of being screwed down.. Things don't fit together right. You won't find that on most japanese or german vehicles.
 
phyregod said:
Stay away from american. Sounds unpatriotic, but unless you want a beer guzzling, lazy ass bubba putting your car together, shop japan.

Look closer at build quality. Check the body gaps, feel the cheap plastics, everything snaps together instead of being screwed down.. Things don't fit together right. You won't find that on most japanese or german vehicles.
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The G8 is actually Australian, so its okay. The CTS-V... I'm not sure. I think I crossed that off my list already.

I think I've crossed everything off except for the TL & A4, unless I'm going to pull the trigger on this car - I can probably save between $5,000-$8,000 by buying the other two used.

Also the MS3, R32, A3, C70 would all be great choices if I was willing to buy a hatch/wagon. There's something a little less than professional stepping out of a wagon/hatch or driving clients around in your car.
 
I know you want luxury, performance, and style all in one, but what about looking at the newer Nissan's or Toyota's.

I have driven the 08 Maxima. As well as the 08 Avalon. Both had good handling, were decent on gas, and did better than I expected them to as far as get-up-and-go.

Worth a consideration, even if it's only a test drive.
 
I've driven a few g35's and I love them. Especially the g35x.
 
the IS250 is AWD but only in auto, you can get a 6 speed but its real wheel drive only (could be wrong on that) the IS350 only comes in auto and is RWD.

I'd much rather have the old TSX over the new one, and yes, its lacking power really bad.
the TL however had the most power of any car I test drove and over all was a very easy choice for me after I test drove one.

Have you looked at used TLs at the dealerships? 33K should get you into a damn near new TL.

I for one would NOT buy a new TSX, if anything wait another year and buy one used for 27K
 
My Dad got an 06' IS350, it's such a nice car. It's one of the best cars in its class. At least that's what I've heard...

When you put the transmission in manual mode it's pretty good, it lets you rev it out pretty good. If you haven't driven one yet, I'd recommend giving one a try.
 
B said:
how about a speed 6?
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I thought about a speed6. Gas mileage was lacking I believe and I don't know if the performance is actually there...but I haven't test driven one. I only test drove the MS3.

Jeffie, I've been scouring dealerships for the TL. I wanted to spend around $25k when everything was all said and done but became frustrated after I hadn't had a car for a few weeks and after being unable to find anything, so I splurged and hopped $8k in a matter of minutes.

The G35x is out because its auto.

-The 2006+ G35 may still be in play. (scared about maintenance, insurance, gas)
-The 328i may still be in play. (scared about maintenance costs and insurance)
-The 2004-2006 Acura TL is definitely still in play. (FWD and handling being the downside, the tsx handled nicely and the TL feels a bit more like a boat. I'll be putting a J Pipe on the car to pick up an extra 12ft/lb tq in the middle of the powerband if I get the car)
-The 2005.5 2.0T Audi A4 w/ sport pkg is definitely still in play. (afraid about it breaking down. Interior is nice but offers a lot less than the TSX. Stock shifter felt pretty awful, but I bet there's a decent shift kit out there - the forge kit that I would want isn't made for this version A4. Stock power I would be unhappy with but with the APR chip I hear I can get 250hp/292tq @ the flywheel for $600 on the Stage I. The car also has the benefit of AWD for the winter and 2.9% financing if I qualify. The brand new TSX had no financing incentives and would be around 7% to finance.
 
George777 said:
I know you want luxury, performance, and style all in one, but what about looking at the newer Nissan's or Toyota's.

I have driven the 08 Maxima. As well as the 08 Avalon. Both had good handling, were decent on gas, and did better than I expected them to as far as get-up-and-go.

Worth a consideration, even if it's only a test drive.
Click to expand...

The new Maxima is nice looking. I think I'm going to try to stay away from the $30k price tag, though. I thought about an Altima sedan w/ the 3.5L and 6speed manual - can't find any in that config.

The Toyota just doesn't do anything for me.

I think I would be happier with the luxury car route.
 
phyregod said:
Stay away from american. Sounds unpatriotic, but unless you want a beer guzzling, lazy ass bubba putting your car together, shop japan.

Look closer at build quality. Check the body gaps, feel the cheap plastics, everything snaps together instead of being screwed down.. Things don't fit together right. You won't find that on most japanese or german vehicles.
Click to expand...

i would say many of the 'import' cars are built here, and in the South to boot (right to work/non union). at least most of the american plants not in mexico/canada are in the non-redneck? detroit area.
http://autos.aol.com/article/general/v2/_a/domestic-or-import/20060630140209990001
eclipses were made in normal, IL.
i think american cars built in mexico were the worst of the bunch. 3rd world doesn't put stuff together like the developed world. similar problems w/ japanese electronics firms (pioneer?) building stuff in malaysia? defect rate 90% higher.

i'd hit the 300c, challenger, camaro.
i despise chris bangle bmw designs.
the tsx looks like its from the future (in a good non-prius jellybean way), esp the tsx in black w/ factory aero kit.
 
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